1 Samuel 5:10 NIV

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 5:1-12

Though God had allowed the Philistines to gain the victory, He very soon spoils their pleasure in having captured the ark, taking it to Ashdod. They think the most fit place for it is in the house of Dagon, the fish-god (half fish, half man). No doubt they even considered they were patronizing Israel's god by giving it this place! But the next morning Dagon was found fallen on its face before the ark, and they were given the work of lifting their god back into its place! The second morning,... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 5:1-12

ELI ’S DEATH ; THE LOSS OF THE ARK GOD SPEAKS TO SAMUEL (1 Samuel 3:0 ) “The word of the Lord was precious [or rare] in those days” (1 Samuel 3:1 ) is introductory to the record that it was now heard in the case of Samuel. It was Israel’s sin that hid God’s face from them and caused His voice to be silent so long only twice heard during the period of the Judges (Judges 4:4 ; Judges 6:8 ) but He was again to be gracious unto them in this respect, and a new epoch was to open in their... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Samuel 5:8-12

(8) They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither. (9) And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 5:6-12

6-12 The hand of the Lord was heavy upon the Philistines; he not only convinced them of their folly, but severely chastised their insolence. Yet they would not renounce Dagon; and instead of seeking God's mercy, they desired to get clear of his ark. Carnal hearts, when they smart under the judgments of God, would rather, if it were possible, put him far from them, than enter into covenant or communion with him, and seek him for their friend. But their devices to escape the Divine judgments only... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Samuel 5:8-12

The Ark in Gath and Ekron v. 8. They sent, therefore, and gathered all the lords of the Philistines, the heads of their five city-states, unto them and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? As eager as they were to have the ark in their city as a trophy of their great victory, so eager were they now to get rid of the unlucky piece of furniture. And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. The princes of the Philistines intended to make... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 1 Samuel 5:1-12

III. The Ark and the Philistines. 1 Samuel 5:1 to 1 Samuel 7:11. The Chastisement of the Philistines for the Removal of the Ark1 Samuel 5:1-121And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto 2Ashdod. When [And] the Philistines took the ark of God,1they [and] brought 3it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. And when [om. when] they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow,2 [ins. and] behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the Lord... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 1 Samuel 5:1-12

the Captured Ark Brings Trouble 1 Samuel 5:1-12 Dagon’s fall before the Ark of God has a sublime significance. In the evening, as the priests left the temple, the hideous image stood erect on its pedestal; in the morning, it was found prostrate before the sacred symbol. A repetition of the incident proved that it was no coincidence. So shall it be with all the idols of the heathen. They shall be utterly abolished, and the demons of whom they are the grotesque representations, together with... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 5:1-12

This is a story of supreme and arresting interest, showing as it does how, when the people of God fail to bear testimony for Him among the nations, He becomes His own witness. The Ark was not a charm equal to delivering disobedient Israel. It was, however, the center and symbol of their life, and Jehovah would not permit Philistia to trifle with it. If men hold their peace stones will cry out; and if the chosen people are unfaithful to God, then the very Ark, which is the symbol of His... read more

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - 1 Samuel 5:1-12

The Ark in the Land of the Philistines 1 Samuel 5:1-12 ; 1 Samuel 6:1-11 INTRODUCTORY WORDS There are several things we think should be emphasized. 1. Ebenezer means "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." What! Was the Ark of God taken from the place "where the Lord helped us," to the place of utter and ignominious defeat? Even so. It is written that He could do no mighty works in Nazareth because of their unbelief. Why was Christ helpless to demonstrate His power and His glory in the city... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 5:6-12

The Ark of God Brings Misery and Plague On the Philistines Who Disrespect It (1 Samuel 5:6-12 ). What happened in the house of Dagon was not the only thing that was to trouble the Philistines. Soon a dreadful plague was sweeping through Ashdod, and the result was that the people of Ashdod pleaded that the Ark be removed from Ashdod. The situation was seen as serious enough to bring together the five Tyrants of the Philistines, and they decided to remove it to Gath, where it was paraded... read more